Frequently Asked Questions

What
do people do in the temple?

In the temple we are
taught, we make covenants, and we are promised blessings. We
receive ordinances that enable us to live in the presence of
God.

One ordinance we receive in
the temple is the endowment. The word endowment means “gift” or
“bestowal.” As part of this ordinance, we are taught about the
purpose of life, the mission and Atonement of Jesus Christ, and
Heavenly Father’s plan for His children. We gain a glimpse of what
it will be like to live in His presence as we feel the peaceful
atmosphere of the temple.

Another temple ordinance is
the sealing ordinance, in which husbands and wives are sealed to
each other and children are sealed to their parents in eternal
families. This means that if we are faithful to our covenants, our
family relationships will continue for eternity.

In addition to receiving
these ordinances for ourselves, we can receive them for our
deceased ancestors. In this way, people who died without receiving
essential ordinances such as baptism and confirmation, the
endowment, and sealing have the opportunity to accept these
ordinances.

What
is it like inside the temple?

The temple is a peaceful,
sacred place, set apart from the cares and turmoil of the world.
All areas of the temple are beautifully and carefully maintained to
preserve a spirit of reverence. Because it is the Lord’s house, and
because of the sacred work performed there, in the temple we can
feel the Spirit abundantly and feel close to the Lord. There we can
receive personal revelation and spiritual strength to help us
overcome our trials. This is part of the reason we are encouraged
to attend the temple regularly.

How
should I dress when I go to the temple?

Wear modest Sunday dress
when you attend the temple. Avoid extremes in dress and grooming,
just as you would in a sacrament meeting. You show reverence and
respect for the Lord and His house and invite the Spirit by being
clean and presentable.

In the temple there are
private dressing rooms where you change out of your Sunday clothing
and put on white clothing. This change of clothing serves as a
reminder that you are temporarily leaving the world behind and
entering a holy place. White clothing symbolizes purity, and the
fact that all are dressed alike in the temple creates a sense of
unity and equality.

When
should I receive my endowment?

Most likely you will
receive your endowment shortly before you serve a full-time mission
or before you are married in the temple. Single members in their
late teens or early twenties who have not received a mission call
and are not engaged to be married in the temple are generally not
recommended to receive their own endowment.

New members wait at least
one year after their baptism and confirmation before receiving
their endowment.

Receiving your own
endowment is an important matter. Discuss it with your bishop. Pray
and ponder to know when you are ready.

What
can I say to others about my experience in the temple?

You can talk about what the
interior of the temple looks like, and you can freely share the
feelings you have in the temple. However, temple covenants and
ordinances, including the words used, are too sacred to be
discussed in detail outside the temple. By avoiding discussion of
these sacred things outside the temple, we protect them from
mocking, ridicule, or disrespect. Do not be casual when talking
about your experiences in the temple.

I have
family members who cannot enter the temple. What can I do to help
them feel included in my temple marriage?

This can be a tender
subject. Since the temple is the house of the Lord, dedicated to
Him, those who enter must hold a current temple recommend, which
certifies that they are living by the standards He has set.
However, those who do not have a current temple recommend are
welcome on temple grounds, and most temples have a room where they
can wait while family members are being sealed. A couple with
family members who cannot enter the temple may invite their bishop
or another Church member to stay with them in the waiting room.

A couple may also arrange
with their bishop to hold a special meeting afterward for relatives
and friends who do not have a recommend. This meeting provides an
opportunity for them to feel included and to learn about eternal
marriage. Although no ceremony is performed and no vows are
exchanged, rings may be exchanged at such a meeting.

What
should I do to prepare to receive temple ordinances?

You can prepare by
attending the temple regularly to participate in baptisms for the
dead, by participating in a temple preparation seminar organized by
your bishop, and by studying the scriptures and the articles in
this booklet.

You can also prepare by
living the Lord’s standards of temple worthiness. Nurture your
testimony of God the Father and of Jesus Christ and His restored
gospel. Obey the Word of Wisdom and the law of chastity. Sustain
your Church leaders, pay a full tithing, and attend your Church
meetings. Be honest in your dealings with others, and ensure that
your family life is in harmony with the teachings of the Church.
Keep your baptismal covenants so that you will be ready to receive
the higher covenants of the temple.